Gangs among us

BY JANET ANDERSON
MSW, LICSW

Gang influence is everywhere. It’s in music, clothing, language, art, television, the internet, and our own communities. Next time you drive somewhere in the city watch for “tagging”, a form of graffiti used as a method of communication between gangs and gang members. You will see it on street signs, building walls, billboards or bridge embankments. It can be a single word or a detailed sentence. It can be stylized writing, difficult for the unknowing eye to read or it can be simple and easy to decipher. To most it is meaningless vandalism. However, for a gang member, graffiti claims territory, shows gang membership, and gives information regarding current gang activity. It is used to impress gang members, to announce gang presence in a neighborhood, or to teach younger gang members about gang life.

So how do parents protect their children from gang life? The answer to this lies in understanding gangs and childhood development. Gangs offer exactly what children need at a crucial developmental stage in their lives. Gangs serve multiple purposes such as: drug trafficking, protection, and criminal activity. Kids are drawn to gangs because they are exciting, fast paced, and addicting. Gangs offer kids a “family” of close friends, a place to find trusting relationships, a place to belong, and a strict set of guidelines, providing them a sense structure and purpose. Many also believe the gang protects their neighborhoods and their loved ones. For most members it is a way of life.

There are three basic levels of gang involvement: the “fantasy level”, the “at risk” level, and the “associates” level. The “fantasy level” consists of those children who fantasize about the gangster lifestyle. They buy into the glamorized portrayal of gangsters in the media. They believe it’s admirable. Children at this level mimic real gang activity or style but currently have no real gang contact or involvement.

The “at risk” level consists of children who have contact with real gang members but are not gang members themselves. They are sometimes referred to as “wanna bes,” “hommies” or “gonna bes.” They causally associate with gang members, but are not yet fully involved. The “associates” level consists of those children whose social circle is mostly gang members. These children are mentally susceptible to gang involvement.

Parents are not helpless. There are a number of actions they can take. They must accept that gangs do exist in their local neighborhood, church, school, community center, and mall. They need to be aware and involved in their children’s lives. They must notice what their children are wearing and what they are saying. They must notice who they are associating with and what they are doing in school. They must notice what music they listen to and what they watch on television. All of this is vital information for a parent. They can educate themselves with the pop culture that their children are being influenced by. They can listen to their kid’s favorite radio station or watch one of their kid’s favorite television shows or music videos. Parents need to know the lingo and the language of their children. If they don’t understand the slang then they need to ask what it means. They should not be afraid to ask other children, school personnel, or even police questions about gang activity. They need to educate themselves and their children about the realities of gang life. They need to demystify how gangs can be glamorized in the media. They need to report any gang graffiti as soon as possible to the police. Most importantly, parents need to open the lines of communication with their children.

If there is concern that a child may be at risk, here are some behaviors that are identified by the Midwest Gang Investigator Association: staying away from home/school for days at a time, unexplained wealth, abrupt changes in personalities, decline in grades, radial change in friends, alcohol or drug use, late hours, graffiti in bedroom, on school work, in their doodling, or on their personal property, increased violent characteristics, use of nicknames for friends, sudden or unusual changes in clothing suggesting they may be adhering to a dress code. Remember any combination of the above should initiate discussion with the child. Also, don’t overlook these behaviors in females. If a parent has confirmation that a child is deeply involved in a gang the most definite way to help is to close off all lines of communication with the affiliated gang.

To find out more visit one of these following web sits. Midwest Gang Investigators Association (M.G.I.A.) www.mgia.org and/or the Gang Prevention Incorporated www.gangpreventioninc.com